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Category: Smithsonian Folkways

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Song Stories: Woody Guthrie’s “Dust Bowl Ballads”

Posted by: Brian McCurdy

Born on July 14, 1912, Woody Guthrie earned the nickname "The Dust Bowl Troubadour" with the 1940 release of "Dust Bowl Ballads." In this week's NLS Music Notes blog post, learn more about the most successful album of Guthrie's career and how it influenced a new generation of artists.

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American Music from A to Z in the NLS Music Collection: H—Hazel Dickens

Posted by: Katie Rodda

This blog post continues the NLS Music Section's series of American Music from A to Z. This week, we take a look at the life and music of Hazel Dickens.

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New BARD Additions: December 2021

Posted by: Brian McCurdy

In this week's NLS Music Notes blog post, we bring you the latest offerings that have been added to BARD (Braille and Audio Reading Download). Please enjoy this musical feast, and Happy Holidays from the NLS Music Section!

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New BARD Additions: October 2021

Posted by: Katie Rodda

Today's blog post rounds up all the new digital acquisitions and digitized items added to BARD in October 2021 by he NLS Music Section.

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American Music from A to Z in the NLS Music Collection: D–Delta Blues

Posted by: Katie Rodda

This blog is continuation of our "American Music from A to Z" series. In this post, we'll be taking a look at Delta Blues, and materials in the NLS Collection about the blues.

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New BARD Additions: August 2021

Posted by: Brian McCurdy

This month, the NLS Music Section has added many new materials to BARD (Braille and Audio Reading Download), including songs by Adele, Johnny Cash, and Broadway's Robert Lopez! There are also new piano lessons from Bill Brown and new transcriptions of the Tradition of Excellence concert band method. Read on to learn more about our latest digital offerings!

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In Celebration of the Harlem Cultural Festival

Posted by: Katie Rodda

This blog posts celebrates the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival and provides a list of materials available from the NLS Music Section and greater NLS Collection relating to the music and artists featured in the festival.

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New BARD additions: June 2021

Posted by: Katie Rodda

Today’s blog post rounds up all the new digital acquisitions and digitized items added to BARD in June 2021 by the NLS Music Section.

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Summer Interns: Stepping In to Help Out

Posted by: Mary Dell Jenkins

This summer the NLS Music Section was fortunate in having the pleasure of hosting not only one Junior Fellow, but two! Junior Fellows provide valuable services to Library of Congress staff by allowing a focus on a particular project for the benefit of the section and in turn providing experience for students in a professional …